Sally Field and her gay son are fighting for LGBT+ equality
Sally Field and her son Sam Greisman (HRC)
Sally Field has taken a break from trying to land her son Sam Greisman a date with Adam Rippon, to try and land him protections from discrimination in all 50 states.
The Brothers & Sisters star and her son are part of a new Human Rights Campaign video in support of the Equality Act, a bill before Congress that would outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across all 50 states.
The law is expected to pass through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, but is likely to face a rough ride in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 55-45 majority.
Sally Field: Equality Act ‘would change minds and hearts’
In the clip released Monday (March 25), Field explains: “This is change that isn’t just about the government, it would be the government making such an important move to change how people think altogether, minds and hearts.
“As long as I am upright, I will fight for this to be.”
—Sally Field
“As long as I am upright, I will fight for this to be, so that Sam, and everyone’s children and grandchildren and sisters and brothers, will be protected in every single one of the United States.”
She adds: “I’m proud to be an American for the Equality Act.”
Greisman says: “The Equality Act extends civil rights protections to LGBTQ people across the country. If I or any other LGBTQ person got in their car and drove from LA, where I am now, to DC, their rights could change depending on what states they drove through.”
30 states have no laws protecting LGBT+ people from discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, meaning the Equality Act is vital to providing protections to people in those states.
Sam Greisman: I was fortunate to grow up in a state with LGBT+ rights protections
Greisman adds:”I was fortunate enough to [grow up] in LA, where LGBTQ people have protections. I wasn’t afraid of being denied anything just because of the community I grew up in.
“We need all of Congress to support this because I think it sends a huge message to feel that you’re safe and you’re not less than.
“Letting those kids know that their rights are the same as everybody else, and they shouldn’t be discriminated against based on who they are and who they love.”
Sally Field stars in the HRC video
Speaking about her son, Field adds: “Sam’s journey was just a different one to his older brothers.
“Being with him, watching him finally be able to be all that nature intended him to be, was not an easy road for him. He wanted to be like his big brothers and nature had given him other gifts.”
She added that societal homophobia had kept Greisman from his childhood dream of being a sports broadcaster, telling him: “There’s no reason you couldn’t have done it. You still could do that, if you wanted to.”
Sally Field’s son Sam Greisman (HRC)
Other stars taking part in the HRC video series include Queer Eye‘s Karamo Brown,Adam Rippon, Shea Diamond, Alexandra Billings, Charlie and Max Carver, Dustin Lance Black, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Nyle DiMarco.
Award-winning directors Dustin Lance Black and Paris Barclay filmed the campaign.
HRC President Chad Griffin said: “The advocates and artists featured in HRC’s ‘Americans for the Equality Act’ video series amplify the chorus of voices urging Congress to pass the Equality Act.
“The harsh reality is that LGBTQ Americans still face real and persistent discrimination in their everyday lives, and Congress must pass the Equality Act to protect them.
“We’re grateful for these incredible champions for using their voices and platforms to help ensure every person is treated equally under the law, no matter who they are or who they love.”
